North British 1978 & Rosebank 1989

The Lowland distilleries took a pounding during the 1980s closures, somehow Rosebank in Falkirk survived until 1993 before closing its doors. For such a well-regarded whisky, this was a huge loss. An ageing site, a drop in demand for single malt and a location that offered difficult access and no room for expansion, spelled the end for Rosebank. This was reinforced when the stills and distilling equipment were stolen in 2008; thereby removing the heart of the distillery. And that was it, or at least we thought so. Then, Ian MacLeod Distillers, the owners of Glengoyne and Tamdhu, struck a deal with Diageo to purchase the site, the brand and the remaining stock. We don’t know the fee, but it will have been sizeable. Work is underway to bring the distillery into operation while remaining faithful to its roots. A series of premium whiskies has also been released to offer enthusiasts the chance to experience the ‘old’ Rosebank, before, in a few years, we’ll have a new whisky to enjoy.